CONCORD, CALIFORNIA - - The Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District announced today that two birds and two groups of mosquitoes tested positive for West Nile virus. The birds, both American crows, were found near Pecan Place and Hickory Drive in Brentwood and Margie Drive and Susan Lane in Pleasant Hill. The infected mosquitoes were trapped in Brentwood, one group at Garin Parkway and Spruce Street and the other group at Chestnut Street and Sellers Avenue. 

"Our employees are scouring the area to find mosquito sources, and we have found many backyard sources that had mosquitoes such as fish ponds and neglected pools," said Carlos Sanabria, operations manager for the District. "But, we are still trapping high numbers of mosquitoes and need the public's help finding their sources nestled in their neighborhoods."

Sanabria urges residents to check their properties for mosquito sources and to report any neglected standing water, including neglected swimming pools, in their neighborhoods to the District. Reports may be made anonymously.

Residents are urged to wear mosquito repellent when outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are present. This weekend, The Brentwood Cornfest will draw nearly 50,000 attendees to the area. Festival attendees are also urged to wear repellent. 

West Nile virus symptoms of the mild form include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, and swollen lymph glands. While the illness can be as short as a few days, even healthy people have reported being sick for several weeks. 

Less than one percent of individuals (about 1 in 150 people) infected with West Nile virus will develop severe illness. The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent. West Nile virus infection can be fatal.